Sir, I have been following, with some interest, the recent "scandals" concerning the raising of funds for political parties. The latest one concerns the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Mr Higgins and Niall Stokes. There is nothing new here, except the names. Since I have become aware of the political system in this country, I have known of fund raising schemes of one kind or another which could be put on a par with the present stories.
There is a new and intriguing element, however, which I think bears looking at. There is, waiting to be published, a Bill which proposes to fund political parties out of the public purse. In the normal course of events the opposition of the ordinary taxpayer to this proposal could be expected to be loudly and bitterly expressed. If in anticipation of such a reaction, the "discovery" of scandals in connection with private fund raising by politicians were to create a climate of outrage at such methods, the passage of the Bill could be made that much easier. We could be made to see that the provision of public funds would make it unnecessary for the poor political parties to resort to such scandalous methods, and our opposition defused. This scenario may seem a little far fetched, but it has been known for governments to release unpalatable figures when it is known that other, more sensational news will distract the media and the public.
I deplore such methods, and as a taxpayer, am opposed to the proposed Bill under present circumstances. If Leinster House could be persuaded to accept rationalisation, as the occupants of that particular gravy train have agreed to in respect of Team Aer Lingus, Telecom, and the ESB to name but a few, I might be influenced to reconsider. The rationalisation I have in mind would consist of, at minimum, the abolition of the Seanad, the halving of the number of TDs, and the reduction in the number of programme managers and advisors.
While I am waiting for the political parties to get Leinster House in order, and I can assure you I am not holding my breath, I, for one, will not be distracted by any number of scandals, real or concocted, designed to soften us up for the plunder. Yours, etc., The Three Swans Inn, Main Street, Tramore, Co Waterford.